Aus/Thai FTA (1 Viewer)

[Rorix]

RUN FOR THE HILLS!


Continuing his long term trend of 'arselicking' foreign leaders, Prime Minister John Howard has found himself around Prime Minister Shinawatra's anus today, signing a Free Trade Agreement.

Soon we will be unable to turn on the TV without seeing a Thai show! Soon we will be unable to go to the cinema without seeing a Thai movie! And for what purpose? So Little Johnny and ol' Thaksin Shinawatra can continue their lovey-dovey relationship?

FIRST THE USA FTA
NOW THE THAILAND FTA

WHEN WILL THE MADNESS STOP
WHY MUST WE USE OUR RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY

 

[Rorix]

thankfully you are being sarcastic.

But Asquithian! HOW LONG WILL JOHN HOWARD CONTINUE TO PERSUE HIS THAILAND LOVING AGENDA AT THE EXPENSE OF THIS NATION?


WHERE IS BOB BROWN AND WHAT IS HE DOING ABOUT IT?

 

[Rorix]

i think your forgetting the power relationship between the thai prime minister and Honest John is very different to that of the power relationship between Honest John and Dubya Bush.

Not at all!


EVERYBODY KNOWS THE REAL REASON WE WENT TO IRAQ WAS TO PROTECT THAI PERSONNEL.

 

[jayz]

thai's PM rulez, he planned on buyn liverpoolfc, unlike johnnyhow, who jogs around city parks showin how unfit he is

 

[santaslayer]

What's wrong with FTA's? Ther're essential!

 

[Rorix]

Guys You Dont Get It


How Long Will It Be Before We Are Flying The Thai Flag At Our Schools
Before We Can't Turn On The Tv Without Being Able To Speak Thai


Forget This I'm Moving To Queensland.

 

[jayz]

if u've read 2day's afr, there's a report describing the trivial nature of the agreement, i.e. much of the industries that are important to aus trade are not covered in the agreement...

rather than a FTA, the written trade reform is probably a symbolic gesture to the ASEAN nations, i.e. australia has entered the ASIAN group, lol

 

[Rorix]

So, your objection to the free trade deal is that as the US can produce goods more efficiently than Australia, we shouldn't seek to use the world's resources more efficiently as it will mean that jobs in some industries will be lost?

 

[santaslayer]

Everyone will be influened by a particular culture. We live in a global economy. What is wrong with influencing culture on Australia?

 

[santaslayer]

to me it seem silly to compare Thai influence on Australia compared with US influence on Australia.


The power relations are vastly different, with Australia holding the upperhand in the dealings with Thailand and The US holding the upper hand with Australia.


not to mention the lack of commonality between the Thai and Australian cultures. Namely religion and language.

Thai influence on Australia as a result of a FTA would be nominal. The only different may be that Australian consumers will now get cheaper v6 Honda Accords that are built in Thailand.

US influence Australian music.
Thai influence Australian cuisine. :uhhuh:

 

[Rorix]

Wait, why will an economic agreement to abolishing trade barriers with the US result in a greater cultural influence than an economic agreement with Thailand?

I say neither has a cultural influence, but if you insist that it does, why does the economic strength of the country affect cultural issues?


EDIT: responding to the other bit, Australia and the US shared a common language prior to and independant of the FTA.

 

[santaslayer]

Like you said in a previous post. US agreement specifies the requirement to air more American TV in Australia. That's about the biggest cultrusal influence we will have.

 

[Rorix]

Typed a longish reply and accidently hit back ah well brief summary:

Greater cultural similarity, easier overlaps, common language?!?!?!?!

Thailand less cultural commonality, deal worth less (i presume), lack of miltrary ties with Australia

All true prior to and indepedantly of the FTA. US/AUS FTA doesn't compound any of these factors. It's an economic agreement.

Like you said in a previous post. US agreement specifies the requirement to air more American TV in Australia. That's about the biggest cultrusal influence we will have.

And we already have so much US TV on Australian TV that I probably won't even notice!

It's ridiculous for people like Toni Collete to come out and try to pressure the Labor party because she thinks the FTA will be bad for the acting industry, or whatever. The only way this would be true is if Australian production was worse than American productions, in which case, why are we subjected to them anyway?

And yes, the first post was sarcasm, translating common complaints about the USA FTA to the Thai FTA.

 

[leetom]

I'm with Asquithian- I don't think an introduction of Thai culture (which I seriously doubt there will be any of) is going to be such a problem.

But right there- would the introduction of Thai culture be a problem? I certainly don't think so, I think anything that will draw our youth away from the screens of Channel 10 reality television is a good thing.

I'm saying that a mass conversion to Buddihism would be great for Australia. We would create a harmonious, tranquil society- just what we need at the moment.

That's a bit hopeful, but you know we're seriously going into the shitter when the only events that are able to rally a decent crowed in this country are Big Brother eviction nights.